The Good, The Bad, and The GOSPEL

12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. 15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice,

REMEMBER: Paul’s original readers didn’t divide his letters into chapters and verses. They would’ve read his entire letter to understand and respond to the overall message. It’s helpful for us - to slow down and take it in bite-sized pieces for our meditation and submission.

High Definition Commentary: Philippians 1:12–17

From the Philippians’ perspective—a human perspective—all hope seems lost for the advancement of the gospel because of Paul’s imprisonment. His ministry appears derailed. This is the perspective that Paul is actively working to change.

1. GOSPEL-REVEALING VIEW

Philippians 1:12 ESV

12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel,

This has not been about me/us as much as it has been about the Gospel.

Instead of going into great detail about His suffering and unjust incarceration (which he understandably could have done…Epaphroditus may have even shared that with the Philippian church when he delivered the letter), Paul takes a Gospel route - focusing on a Jesus-exalting approach to his report.

Paul starts with a broad statement about how God was at work. When Paul says, “what has happened,” he could be referring to:

everything that’s taken place from Jerusalem to Rome.

This would include a riot,

a two-year imprisonment in Caesarea,

an appeal to Caesar,

the threat on his life,

a shipwreck on the way to Rome,

his house arrest with restricted freedom,

and his impending trial (Melick, Philippians, 70).

This text reminded me of Josephs’ dilemma but final thought on how is life and trials unfolded.

Genesis 50:20 ESV

20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.

Paul is fulfilling general prophecy/promise of Jesus for all believers…You will have tribulation.

John 16:33 ESV

33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Paul is fulfilling a specific prophecy to the apostles

Luke 12:11–12 ESV

11 And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”

Paul is living out exactly what was promised to Him in his conversion experience with Jesus in Acts 9. (God and Ananias)

Acts 9:15–16 ESV

15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”

Paul knew the “what has happened” had served to “advance” the gospel.

“pro-ko-pe” = the Greek term for “advance” was used of blazing a trail before an army, progressing in wisdom, and the progress of a young minister (Melick, Philippians, 70).

I pray that “what has happened to you”:

Your tragedies

Your sickness

Your victories

Your promotion

Your singleness

Your challenging family dynamic right now

…serves to BLAZE A TRAIL FOR THE GOSPEL. It won’t automatically…It can either be a pit that costs you your testimony or a pulpit for you to proclaim Jesus from.

2. GOSPEL-ADVANCING MISSION

Philippians 1:13–14 ESV

13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

High Definition Commentary: Philippians 1:12–17

The Gospel is Being Heard/Received

Pretorian/Imperial Guard

Imperial Guards

9,000 Soldiers

Hand-picked / Italian-descent

Special pay / privileges (doublepay)

Ranked as Centurians

Highly influential

All the rest

The Gospel is Being Spoken (by more than me)

brothers who are increasing in boldness (Faith is rising)

brothers who are decreasing in fear (Fear is Falling)

NOTE: The only way to increase your faith and decrease your fear is to put it into practice!

PAUL IS LITERALLY PROCLAIMING CHRIST TO THE RULERS OF THE ROMAN WORLD. KEY WORLD-INFLUENCERS are hearing the good news of Jesus Christ as a result of his suffering and condition. He’s been moved into this more restrictive prison from House Arrest (BAD) to Caesar’s household (GOOD)

Luke 24:47 ESV

47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

Lots of Christians suffer…but not all are as fruitful as Paul’s here, nor even fruitful in any sense at all. What is distinct about Paul?

1. In his suffering he was self-effacing. He did not use the occasion of suffering either to turn his thoughts in upon himself or to make himself the object of other people’s attention and interest.

2 While suffering, he was still witnessing to the glory of Christ alone! The verbal testimony was rooted in Paul’s inner attitude towards his suffering. He saw himself—chain and all!—as a man under orders. He writes, ‘I am put here for the defence of the gospel’ (verse 16; av, verse 17).

2 Corinthians 1:3–4 ESV

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

Transitions us beautifully to the next wonderful aspect of Paul’s update to the Philippian church.

3. GOSPEL-FOCUSED PERSPECTIVE

Philippians 1:15–17 ESV

15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment.

The Good-willed are preaching/proclaiming Christ

The Ill-willed are preaching/proclaiming Christ

NOTE: Results don’t always validate the messenger

NOTE: God has used evil people to bring about His will…he’s spoken through a donkey to get the word out

NOTE: God has allowed faithful men and women to do everything well…yet suffer and have little fruit to show here on earth.

BE ON GUARD AGAINST JEALOUSY

If Satan can’t corrupt your heart with a love of money or with sexual sin, he may try this tactic: envy and rivalry. Consider a story from the fourth century on the sin of envy. Some inexperienced demons were finding it difficult to afflict a godly hermit. They lured him with various temptations, but the man kept denying their allurements. The demons reported their problem to Satan. The evil one told them that they had been far too hard on the man. He suggested a more effective strategy: “Send him a message that his brother has just been made bishop of Antioch. Bring him good news.” The demons used the Devil’s scheme, reporting “the wonderful news” to the pious hermit. On hearing this message, the godly hermit fell into deep, wicked jealousy

4. JESUS CHRIST IS THE CENTER OF OUR JOY/FOCUS

Philippians 1:18 ESV

18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice,

This is not about a getting a positive spin on your circumstances…it’s about fixing your eyes on Jesus.

not your circumstances

not people

not media

Christ alone is the hope of glory...

D. A. Carson writes,

What ties us together? What do we talk about when we meet, even after a church service? Mere civilities? The weather? Sports? Our careers and our children? Our aches and pains? None of these topics should be excluded from the conversation of Christians, of course. In sharing all of life, these things will inevitably come up. But what must tie us together as Christians is this passion for the gospel, this fellowship of the gospel. On the face of it, nothing else is strong enough to hold together the extraordinary diversity of people who constitute many churches. (Basics, 19)

2 Corinthians 4:1–10 ESV

1 Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.

How can we stay focused and not lose heart?

Care more about Christ’s glory than the one speaking about Christ.

Be preoccupied with the Savior, not the speaker, and you’ll find it much easier to rejoice!

Surely Paul’s joyful attitude displayed in front of the Roman guards had an impact on them. His consistent testimony of joy in the midst of suffering, coupled with the explosive power of the gospel, made an eternal difference in their lives.

Live an attractive and joyful, hope-filled, gospel-revealing life before people and tell them the good news.

Remember that Jesus is better than comfortable circumstances and high-profile positions in ministry.

He matters more than what others think about us.

Care more about Jesus’ glory than your own, and let us rejoice until we see Him—the One who bled and died for all humanity.

TEASE FOR NEXT WEEK:

High Definition Commentary: Philippians 1:18–20

This raises the next question. If Paul’s circumstances are actually advancing the gospel rather than hindering it, now what? How should he or the Philippians respond? Rather than fretting over the competing motivations for preaching, what does Paul do? He chooses to rejoice over the results. Christ is being proclaimed, so why shouldn’t he rejoice? It is important to track his progression of thought through this section. Each thought or question leads into the next one.